DIY Landlord Tools: The Ultimate Rent-Ready Checklist IV
There is nothing worse than wonky water temperature and water pressure that is much too hard or gentle.
We’re finally reaching the last installment of our Ultimate Rent-Ready Checklist. We feel we should point out, now that we’re near the end, that this checklist doesn’t include things that you would turn to a building inspector for. There’s nothing in this list about checking the attic for insulation, for example, or getting into the crawlspace to look for termites or rats. Just wanted to make sure that was clear. Now that we’ve thrown that out there, let’s move on to the final stage of our list.
Bathrooms
• Examine cabinets, including medicine cabinet. Refinish or repaint if necessary. Repair or replace hardware if necessary. Clean inside and out, including top and bottom of each shelf. Remove and clean each drawer. Place rubber mat on the bottom of the under-sink cabinet.
• Examine countertops. Repair or replace where necessary. Clean.
• Check exhaust fan to insure it’s functional and not too loud. Repair or replace as necessary. Remove fan cover and clean inside and out.
• Inspect mirror to ensure it’s free of cracks and secure. Replace if necessary. Clean.
• Check the sink for leaks around the faucet and underneath. Clear slow drains if necessary. Clean sink and polish fixtures.
• Inspect toilet. Check that it flushes and the tank refills without leaking and at speed. Check that it doesn’t continue to run after tank is full. Verify that toilet seat and lid are secure and easy to open and close. Repair or replace parts as needed. Clean inside and out.
• Examine towel rack(s). Ensure each is secured to wall. Repair or replace if necessary. Clean.
• Inspect shower for proper water flow, drainage, and faucet/showerhead selector function. Repair or replace as necessary. Check caulk/grout for mold and watertightness. Replace if necessary. Clean tub, tub surround, shower bar, and fixtures as necessary.
Laundry Room
• Examine cupboards. Refinish or repaint if necessary. Repair or replace hardware if necessary. Clean inside and out, including top and bottom of each shelf.
• Run washing machine. Ensure that it drains and dries completely. Arrange for professional maintenance or repair if necessary. Replace if necessary. Clean. Take a pic of the model number for future maintenance use.
• Run dryer. Ensure that it heats and air flows properly. Clean lint passage entirely. Arrange for professional maintenance or repair if necessary. Replace if necessary. Clean, including dusting the dryer hose. Take a pic of the model number for future maintenance use.
• Check the utility sink for leaks around the faucet and underneath. Clear slow drains if necessary. Clean sink and polish fixtures.
And that’s it! Four weeks, one really big checklist, and an all-but-foolproof way of making sure any house is ready for the next tenant to make a home there. Hope you get as much use out of it as we do!